Design assistance studies

Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST)

Design for an air conditioned enclosure for the ATST to be built at Haleakala on Maui by 2010 was desired. The telescope will be the largest of its kind in the world and will feature an advanced optic processing support facility. The enclosure must be kept 5°F below ambient air temperature (30°F-64°F) at all times. To meet this requirement, plate coil cooling panels wrapped around the enclosure on the external surface were evaluated. Estimates for the facility’s yearly energy demands and other energy conserving design features were also evaluated. Project was completed in 2006.